"AutoRun" Doesn't

[Robert Keneely]

I am trying to set up an old Compaq Presario as a "Linux Only - learning machine". Here's what I've done so far [a lot of Trial & Error] -- I expect you'll tell me everything I did wrong !!

I installed a spare 2 gig HD and formatted it using my Win98SE boot floppy. This came out as:
One primary DOS partition, 2010 MB, Fat 32, 100% usage.
Using Fdisk I remove the primary DOS partition [leaving a 2010 MB "black hole"]

I used the boot floppy to get going with "CD drive support"
I have a D:> drive, but C:> is an "Invalid drive specification".

Now, the question is, the Red Hat CD that is in the drive will not "Auto-Run" -- What can I do ???

[TCaptain70]

Its likely that compaq does not boot straight from the CD (check the bios...if it does...just boot from the CD and install).

You need to make a LINUX Boot floppy to run the install. (Search the forums for how to do this...or use google..this info has been provided over and over and over.

[Robert Keneely]

TCaptain,

Thanks for response, you may be right about CD drive not booting, although the light does blink momentarily on boot up.

The Compaq came with Win 3.1 installed and I did "temporarily" reinstall 3.1 [using Recovery CD/floppy] just to confirm that "new" HD was operational.

I have a Red Hat 6.2 boot floppy and tomorrow I will see what I can do with it.